Our Commitment to You
At Shore Family Dentistry, we customize care to meet the needs and goals of each patient. As with all the services we offer, we’ll talk to you about all your care options, such as the types of dental filling materials we can use to fix your tooth. Our goals are to gently remove dental decay and damaged tooth structure, then rebuild your tooth’s shape and function in a way that is healthy, strong, long-lasting, and good looking.
common types of dental Fillings
Composite Fillings
Composite fillings are bonded to the natural tooth structure, which also seals and strengthens the tooth. Composite fillings are a good match for the color of your natural teeth, and they don't need as much tooth structure for removal for placement. They also don't expand or contract with changes in temperature like dental amalgams do. But composite restorations can wear and stain more easily and may need to be replaced in the long run.
Ceramic Fillings
These restorations are the most durable, attractive, and long-lasting option for tooth-colored fillings that don't stain or wear down. "Direct" fillings, like dental amalgam and composite fillings, are put in right away after the tooth is cleaned. "Indirect" fillings, like inlays and onlays, are made outside of the mouth and then glued or cemented into place.
Developing ourselves for you
Technology Meets Dental Expertise
As a trusted dentist in Columbia, we’ve established a reputation for excellence by providing the highest quality skilled and experienced state-of-the-art care.
We have an extensive collection of articles written to educate you on procedures, techniques, and more.
Yes, you can still get cavities on other parts of the tooth, around the edges of an old filling, or, in rare cases, underneath it. Because of this, it’s important to have good oral hygiene and a diet low in sugary drinks and sweets. You should also come to our office for regular checkups and care. Tooth decay is almost as common as the common cold, but it can almost always be prevented.
We care about our patients’ time and comfort. If you have cavities on teeth next to each other or in the same part of your smile, you may be able to get care for more than one tooth at the same time. But how much is done each time depends on a number of things. We tell our patients everything they need to know and make sure that every treatment plan and visit fits their needs.
The lifetime of a dental filling varies depending on the type of material used. While popular dental materials can last a decade or more with proper care, they can degrade over time, wear down, or even break. When this happens, you may experience some tooth sensitivity, a jagged edge, or a loose or dislodged piece of filling material. Whatever the case may be, it’s essential to get the filling replaced before the tooth sustains further damage or other consequences arise. Beyond taking good care of your smile to help ensure the longevity, our office regularly checks the status of your existing fillings as part of a routine checkup exam.
